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Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-50

Portability
96
Imaging
40
Features
29
Overall
35
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 front
 
Pentax K-50 front
Portability
63
Imaging
58
Features
65
Overall
60

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-50 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 126g - 95 x 56 x 22mm
  • Launched January 2013
Pentax K-50
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 51600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Launched November 2013
  • Earlier Model is Pentax K-30
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Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-50 Overview

Below is a in depth comparison of the Panasonic SZ3 and Pentax K-50, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the SZ3 (16MP) and the K-50 (16MP) is fairly well matched but the SZ3 (1/2.3") and K-50 (APS-C) provide totally different sensor sizes.

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The SZ3 was launched 10 months prior to the K-50 and they are both of a similar age. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic SZ3 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-50 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving right into a in depth comparison, here is a brief overview of how the SZ3 grades against the K-50 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ3 over the Pentax K-50

 SZ3 K-50 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-50 over the Panasonic SZ3

 K-50 SZ3 
LaunchedNovember 2013January 2013More recent by 10 months
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kCrisper display (+691k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic SZ3 and Pentax K-50

 SZ3 K-50 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch display No Touch display

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-50 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to lug around your camera regularly, you need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic SZ3 provides outer dimensions of 95mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-50 has dimensions of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") with a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic SZ3 and Pentax K-50 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. Following is a front view physical size comparison of the SZ3 compared to the K-50.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-50 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the SZ3 and K-50 is 96 and 63 respectively.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-50 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-50 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is tough to visualise the gap between sensor measurements purely by looking at specifications. The graphic below should offer you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ3 and K-50.

To sum up, each of the cameras feature the identical MP but not the same sensor measurements. The SZ3 has got the tinier sensor which should make obtaining shallow depth of field tougher. The older SZ3 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-50 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-50 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-50 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-50 as a Portrait photography camera
30
MP count good (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual mode
external flash not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
74
focusing manually
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has face detection focus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic SZ3
Street photography with Pentax K-50
64
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (126g)
no articulating screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
65
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
weather proofing
above average ISO range (51,600)
screen is fixed
more heavy than average (650g)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic SZ3
Sports photography with Pentax K-50
41
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16MP)
offers tracking focus
low frames per second (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
67
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has tracking autofocus
weather proofing
comes with phase detect auto focus
very slow continuous shooting (6.0 fps)
not so great battery life (410 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Travel photography advice
Pentax K-50 Travel photography advice
71
lighter than others (126g)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
decently wide (25mm)
great reach (250mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
does not have a selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.1)
56
weather proofing
megapixel count decent (16MP)
flash built-in
not so great battery life (410 CIPA)
more heavy than average (650g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Landscape photography advice
Pentax K-50 Landscape photography advice
39
decently wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
lack of manual mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
missing Time Lapse recording
74
focusing manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
above average ISO range (51,600)
delivers RAW files
weather proofing
not so great battery life (410 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic SZ3
Vlogging with Pentax K-50
31
decently wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (126g)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
does not have a selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing mic socket
28
image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no external microphone socket
more heavy than average (650 grams)
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Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-50 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ3 and Pentax K-50
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3Pentax K-50
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 Pentax K-50
Class Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2013-01-07 2013-11-27
Physical type Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip - PRIME M
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4928 x 3264
Highest native ISO 6400 51600
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 23 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 25-250mm (10.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.1-5.9 -
Macro focus range 5cm -
Amount of lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech TFT LCD TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 4.10 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync+Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50,30,25,24 fps), 640 x 424 (30,25,24 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 126 grams (0.28 lbs) 650 grams (1.43 lbs)
Physical dimensions 95 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 79
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.0
DXO Low light score not tested 1120
Other
Battery life 250 photographs 410 photographs
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI109
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at release $150 $610